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Title: Molecular characterization of bacterial respiration on minerals. Final technical report, August 4, 1994--August 3, 1996

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/491520· OSTI ID:491520

The scope of work outlined in the original proposal contained two specific aims. Highlights of the results obtained and published on each specific aim during the grant period in question are summarized. The first aim continued the identification, separation, and characterization of the cellular components necessary for aerobic respiration on iron. An electrochemical apparatus for the large scale cultivation of chemolithotrophic bacteria that respire aerobically on ferrous ions was perfected. The kinetic properties of an acid-stable iron:rusticyanin oxidoreductase from T. ferrooxidans were determined. The overall tertiary structure of rusticyanin in solution was elucidated from a combination of homonuclear proton and heteronuclear {sup 15}N-edited NMR spectra. An artificial gene for rusticyanin was designed, synthesized, and successfully expressed in E. coli. The X-ray crystallographic structure of rusticyanin was solved to a resolution of 1.9 {angstrom} by multiwavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) phasing. The second aim initiated an investigation of the molecular principles whereby these bacteria recognize and adhere to their insoluble inorganic substrates. The electrophoretic mobility of T. ferrooxidans with and without its insoluble substrates was determined by laser Doppler velocimetry under physiological conditions. The adherence of T. ferrooxidans to the surface of pyrite was observed directly in a video-enhanced light microscope.

Research Organization:
Xavier Univ. of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA (United States). Coll. of Pharmacy
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG05-94ER20157
OSTI ID:
491520
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/20157-T1; ON: DE97006593; TRN: AHC29714%%58
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: [1996]
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English